Convertible couch or settee



(No Model.)

B. HARRY. GONVERTIBL-EUOUGH 0R SETTEE.

No. 570,208. Patented 00527, 1896.

. E llmmmhl |l|c Y ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEIcE.

EDYVARD HARRY, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK.

CONVERTIBLE COUCH OR SETTEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,208, dated October 27, 1896.

Serial No. 577,253. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD HARRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Couches or Settees; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a couch or settee and the detachable and adjustable pillow or rest and support or standard therefor as operatively applied to said article of furniture. Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional elevation of my device, taken along dotted line a: 00, Fig. l, and representing the pillow or back-rest as firmly upheld in a nearly perpendicular position by the ad justably-disposed retained standard. Fig. 3 is a similar sectional elevation representing the pillow or rest in like attitude, but the supporting-standard so released from a lockingly-ret-ained connection with the couch as permits of said standards ready vertical adjustment to lower plane. Fig. 4 is an analogous sectional elevation, but representing the standard somewhat lowered and lockingly retained to the couch frame or body in said lowered position and necessarily the pillow or rest carried and retained at a less acute inclination or pitch than in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail delineative of the connecting means detachably and adjust-ably uniting the pillow and its supporting-standard. Fig. 6 is an isometric View of one of the like-constructed slotted plates designed for attachment to a solid portion of the back of a rest or pillow, and showing the projecting forkedlike sleeve or holder movable along said plate, said bifurcated holder being represented as carrying a transversely-oblong portion of the top length of a standard. Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the bifurcated'sleeve and its base-plate, adapted to longitudinal travel within the slot of the carrying-plate shown in preceding figure. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional detail illustrating a modification of the slotted plate carrying the forked holder and provision for a passage way for its base within back of pillow. Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the top length of the pillow-supporting standard, showing its oval or-fiat-like contour transversely; and Fig. 10 delineates a modified form of adjustably securing the upright of a standard to the couchframe.

Similar letters and reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

My invention relates, broadly, to that class of household furniture denominatec m ultiform or convertible as applied to couches, settees, sofas, chairs, and the like.

The purpose of my present invention is the production of a couch, settee, or analogous piece of furniture provided with one or several pillows or rests adjustably and detachably connected to a standard or standards, in turn adjustably and removably secured to a side orsides of the couch, &c., admitting of the limited adjustment of a pillow without disturbance of the position of the carryingstandard and permitting of much further adj ustability of pillow by the raising or lowering of aforesaid standard, the pillow or pillows invariably having by their bottom edge a direct contact or bearing upon the top or bed of the couch-body. Furthermore, my object is the employment of novel, useful, simple, and virtually inexpensive means or appliances for the proper and satisfactory operation, adjustability, and separability of the members hereinbefore referred to, and, finally, in the embodiment of certain specific details of formation and coadaptation and operativeness of parts as to insure fully the requisite effectiveness and working of the convertible couch or settee, &c.

My invention consists in the novel features of construction an d operation hereinafter described, and concisely stated in the clauses of claim hereunto annexed. It is constructed as follows:

A denotes the usually horizontal body of a couch, settee, chair, &c., and comprising side pieces a, a bed portion a, and legs a.

B is a pillow or back-rest, ordinarily comprising a rectangular back frame b, a backing 1), and a stufied forward cushion b.

C are elongated box -like slotted plates (preferably a pair to a-p'illow) screwed to 0pposite sides of the back of the pillow or rest frame contiguous its top and at corresponding heights, said slotted plates comprising, respectively, a flat bottom wall 0, having perforated ears 0 at either extremity projecting longitudinallybeyond the box-like casing c", the said casinghaving alongitudinal passageway or slot 0, starting from the lower end of the casing and continuing to nearly or quite the upper end, said passage-way communicating with the face of the box-like casing through the medium of an elongated opening 0, extending centrally and longitudinally the casing from its lower end to orcontiguous the upper end thereof, which lengthened opening 0, being of a lesser width than the passage-way 0, creates parallel flanges c"', which are very clearly shown forth in Fig. 6.

Fitting and longitudinally movable within the passage-way of each plate 0 there is a carrier-plate d, of much shorter length than that of the passage-way it is located within, and forming the rigidly-connected rectangular base of the bifurcated or segment-shaped holder or sleeve D, which rises from its carrier-base in such manner as to non-contactingl y project out through and beyond the elongated opening 0", and to such degree as to permit of the reception of a bar by the said holder.

The segment-shaped converging prongs d dcreatin g the holder D outwardly approach by their extremities sufficiently near to each other to leave a passage (1 of requisite width for the lateral penetration through same into the interior of the holder of a bar or red when the latter is turned in such manner as allows its entrance or the holder so disposed as to admit thereof, said red when once inserted in the holder being, through a shifting of lo cation as relates to its point of ingress into the holder, normally non'detachable from the holder.

E indicates a standard secured to a side piece of the couch-frame and rising above same a desirable height, said standard being usually of a H shape longitudinally and comprising uprights c c, disposed parallel a satisfactory distance apart, and a horizontal top cross member 6, connecting the uprights, said standard preferably being in one integral piece; otherwise the parts rigidly united.

The pillow or rest B is pivotally and removably hung on the top member 6' through the medium of the holders D of the plates 0, partially encircling said top length at points usuallycontiguous to the uprights c c, the connections between the pillow and the top bar being such that, while admitting of the disposing of said pillow to varied inclines, disconnection of the pillow from the top bar can, as a rule, only occur when intentionally such manipulation is had having in View the detachment of said pillow from the standard, as to subsequently appear.

The upright members cc of the standard (which may be cylindrical, as represented, or rectangular or otherwise in cross-section, if preferred) are at their forward sides, nonopposite the pillow, provided at intervals along their lengths with slight notches or indentations f, or, if so wished, the series of notches may be so closely grouped as to insure a regular serrated face to the respective uprights. The notches in the same are located at coinciding intervals, the abrupt shoulders created by the notchin g being rearwardl y terminated by downwardly-slantin g sides, as shown.

The standard E is retained adj ustably (vertically) in position by means of sockets F F, into or through which penet ate and are secured a varying portion of the respective standard-uprights c c, said sockets, of suitable metal, being screwed to the outer face of a side piece of the couch-frame at a similar plane and located apart sulficientlyto per mit of the concurrentpassage of the uprights of the standard into their respective supporting-sockets.

The socket members respectively comprise a Vertical semitubular (or square) body g,

open at its rear, the interior of the body being smooth and non-obstructed except at the forward portion of its top, where exists a slight an gularly-protuberant shoulder creating a stationary dog 71., adapted to engage with any given notch of the upright of the standard, the contour of the dog being such as to relatively correspond to that of any one of the notches in the upright.

The passage or interior of the body g is of a size sutlicient to permit, when desirable, of moderate lateral movement of the penetrating upright.

t' t' are perforated ears or lugs located at opposite sides of the body of the socket, integral therewith and whereby by means of penetratin g screws said socket is firmly secured in position against the outer face of a side piece of the couch, the face of said contiguous portion of the side piece serving as the back wall to the passage in the socket, andj is a vertical recess in the face of the side piece, while 7c is an elongated spring-plate retreating into aforesaid recess when unusual pressure is applied against its face, and occupying same, but which normally and operatively projects curvingly forward into the i11- terior of the socket F, and impinging and firmly pressing against the near side of the passing upright of the standard E and requisitely holding same so as to entail the engagement of a notch of the upright with the dog of the socket, and consequently the retention of said upright firmly and the sup portin of the pillow carried by the standard.

In Fig. 10 I illustrate a modification of the socket F advantageous of utilization in connection with the frames of some types of sofas, &c., said modification consisting in having the passage-waycreated by the formation of a vertical bore or aperture from top to bottom'of a side piece or rail of the frame, as at g, and a recess and spring at a side of said interior similar to my primary formation, and respectively indicated at j and while at the top or forward side of the boring there is a dog it, like in my primary construction, said dog being a flat beveled end plate secured firmly to the top face of the side piece of couch-frame, and an upright rod 6 extends into or through the socket-serving bore 9', and therein detachably and adjustably upheld in same manner as in my first-described construction.

If wished, there may be only the bore or aperture and the upright so snugly fitted as to be entirely stationary, a manner possibly of value in isolated instances.

The spring 70 of the socket is designed to be strong enough to, through its pressure against the rod, insure a given notch being retained engagingly with the dog when no occupant of the couch is resting against the pillow carried by the standard, while, as may readily be perceived, when the couch is occupied and the pillow being used by occupant, it is an impossibility for said rod or upright to become loosened or displaced for the salient reason that the weight of the persons head or upper portion of his body against the pillow coincidently presses the rod all the harder against the dog of the socket and shouldering the notch all the firmer upon the penetrating dog. It is also noticeable that the side rail gives a bearing to the impinging portion of the standard-rod, said rod being more or less out of the perpendicular when operatively disposed and held against dropping.

As is apparent, the standard E may expeditiously be raised or lowered for securing at variable heights by merely pressing same slightly toward the frame of couch and cansing disengagement of the upright e from the dog of the socket by the crowding of the springlcinto its recess, as see Fig. 3, whereby, the rod being free from the dog, it may be vertically shifted as desired for changing inclination of the pillow or rest B, or, if so wished, withdrawn entirely from the socket.

My standard may be of a form comprising two uprights and a top connecting member, or, in the event of a quite lengthy (horizontal) standard being desirable for the erection thereon of two or more pillows, one or more intermediate uprights may be employed for the insuring of requisite stability to the standard, as, by way of exemplification, see dotted upright w and auxiliary socket y, (also dotted,) Fig. 1 of drawings, said socket being similar to the sockets aforedescribed.

As exemplified, the base of the pillow or rest invariably abuts the top surface of the body or bed of the couch, whatever incline same may be adjusted to for usage by occupant of couch, which bearing thus attained assures firm disposition of the pillow, whatever be its angle.

The cross member 6 of the standard is,

either throughout its length or else at such portions thereof as are calculated to be engaged by the holder or holders D pertaining to the pillow-back, of such contour or configuration as to in cross-section present an oval or flattened shape, or narrower one way than the opposite, and the opening d existing between the ends of the prongs creating the holder is just wide enough to permit of the entrance laterally of the flattened portion of the cross member e when its narrowest side is presented to the opening, and, following said introduction into interior of the holder, a turning of the cross-bar or a partial revolution of the holder entails thepresentation of the wider side of the flattened portion facing the opening d, with the result that the bar is loosely retained in the holder, its withdrawal therefrom being possible only through such predetermined manipulation by a person as will cause presentation of the narrow side to opening for disengagement, and not liable even then to-result unless direct effort is madenot through accident.

For advantageous reasons the holder is constructed of stiff metal, although, evidently, spring metal can be employed, but not with such satisfaction. Also, as is evident,-if no adjusting of the pillow is wished for beyond that attained through the vertical raising or lowering of the standard E, the base-plate d of the holder D may be secured firmly direct to the back of the pillow-frame, thereby dispensing with the holder-carrying slotted plate 0, holes being provided in the holders base for the reception of screws, as indicated by dotted work n n, Fig. '7.

By employing the plates 0, with the holders D movable thereon, evidently a limited degree of adjustment of the pillow may be had without disturbance of the standard by a person grasping the pillow and raising or lowering same through the movement of the holders along the slotted plates, and slight variations of inclination of the pillow thus secured.

To mount a pillow upon the flattened portion or portions of the top member of the standard, my preferred procedure is this: Standing facing the couch I hold out the pillow horizontally, thereby presenting the open ing between the prongs of the holder facingly to the contracted side of the bar, letting the prongs pass it, and, evidently, upon my release of the pillow from my hands it will swing downwardly, carrying the opening 01' of the holders in such relation to the cross-bar that the wide face of bar is contiguous and removal of bar from holders impossible until the pillow is again swung up to the horizontal plane aforementioned.

In Fig. 8 I represent a modified construction of my primary form of slotted plate 0, in that in lieu of said box-like plate I employ a perfectly flat plate G centrally and longitudinally slotted a portion of its length, as at 8, said plate being secured to the back of the pillow or rest by means of penetrating screws passing through screw-holes r in the respective extremities of the plate. Back of the plate I form a parallel mortise into the face of the pillow-frame, as at 25, forming a passage-way for the base-piece of the holder D aforedescribed, said base-piece being obviously wider than the slot .9 in the plate 0, thereby retaining the holder 1n ovably to the plate. In many instances I find it preferable to utilize in my device the modified formation just described.

I may, if desirable, .utilize in connection with my socket athumbscrew in lieu of the spring shown and for the same purpose. However, the spring is far preferable for varied reasons, one being that an automatic action is assured.

Evidently in cases where a narrow seat is employed, or otherwise, it may be preferable to attach the holder-either with or without the slotted plates-to the respective side edges of a pillow or rest and operating in relation to same and the other members, as understood.

The utility and value of my invention is such as to be apparent to manufacturers and users of couches, settees, chairs, and the like.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a convertible couch or settee, of a body or seat, a socket thereto, a serrated standard, provided with a crosspieee, entering and adjustabl y upheld in said socket, a dog or shoulder on the socket engaging a serration of the standard, a pillow adjustably mounted upon the cross-piece of the standard, a pivotal connection between said pillow and standard, the pillows lower edge normally abutting the top of the body or seat, all arranged and operating substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a body or seat, a rigid socket thereto, a vertically-rising notched standard entering said socket, a dog or shoulder on said socket entering a notch of the standard to adj ustably retain the standard, a spring located in aforesaid socket and bearing against the standard to insure positive engagement of a notch with the dog, a horizontal top section terminating the upper extremity of the standard, a pillow, bifurcated holders thereon adjustably and detachably uniting same to the top section of the standard, the bottom edge of the pillow normally impinging the upper face of the body or seat, all arranged and operating substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

In a device of the class described, in combination, a body or seat suitably supported, a socket member secured to a side thereof, said socket having a rigid dog penctrating slightly the bore thereof, a spring erected in the socket at a point opposite to the location of the dog, and normally protruding outward, a notched standard adjustably seated at its lowerextremity within said socket and upheld vertically by engagement of one of its notches with the dog of the socket, the spring therein pressing the engaging notch firmly against the dog, a cross-bar terminating the upper extremity of the standard, a pillow adjustably and removably pivoted thereto, stationary plates on the pillow having slotways, movable carrying-plates mounted in the slotways, bifurcated holders projecting from the plates and encircling portions of the cross-bar of the standard, the pillow being adapted to, at differential inclines, bear by its bottom edge upon the top surfaceof the body or seat, substantially as described and shown and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 30th day of November, 1895.

EDIVARD HARRY. [L. s.]

\Vitnesses:

JOHN KRAUS, HENRY JAUTZEN. 

